Child-resistant storage container

ABSTRACT

A child-resistant storage container comprising a sleeve having an end opening through which a container can be inserted and an aperture in a side thereof, and a container having outer dimensions substantially equivalent to the inner dimensions of the sleeve and slidably insertable therein. The container has at least one tab proximate a side of the container, the tab operative to automatically extend through the aperture in the sleeve when the container is inserted therein, thereby preventing the removal of the container from the sleeve unless the at least one tab is depressed while pulling the container from the sleeve.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed, in general, to storage containers and, more specifically, to child-resistant storage containers.

BACKGROUND

Childproof, or child-resistant, packaging, such as that used for prescription medications, has remained remarkably consistent for decades; push and twist, and off pops the top. But there are many products now entering the market that demand new ideas; this is particularly true for the various forms of cannabis, and related products, due to the legalization of medical and recreational marijuana.

A child-resistant package is designed to be difficult for children under 5 years of age to open or access the contents within a reasonable time; conversely, the package should not be too difficult for an adult to open. A child-resistant package must be tested to meet the criteria of the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), which was first introduced in 1970. The purpose of the PPPA is to protect young children from poisonings or deaths; a list of products that require child-resistant packaging can be found in Title 16, Part 1700, of the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations. In addition to the list of products covered by the PPPA, some states have introduced their own legislation with respect to the legalization of medical or recreational marijuana, including packaging requirements. For example, Colorado's Medical Marijuana Code requires that products be enclosed in packaging that can't be quickly opened by children, but which doesn't present a challenge for seniors and disabled persons. Similarly, California, which has legalized recreational marijuana, requires that packaging be tamper-evident—the way bottled water or vitamin bottles might be, with a seal that must be broken. Most any prescription medicine bottle can be modified to comply with those state's laws and regulations. As the pot industry has grown and expanded into products such as edibles, topicals and concentrates, the need for pot-specific packaging has pushed designers to think of novel ways to be compliant.

To meet the demands of the evolving demands for child-resistant packaging, there is a need in the art for novel designs that meet the requirements of the PPPA, and similar legislation, while not adding significantly to total product and packaging costs. Such novel designs should be easily manufacturable and assembled, as well as being attractive and suitable for store displays.

SUMMARY

To address the deficiencies of the prior art, the invention disclosed herein is directed to a child-resistant storage container. Broadly, the storage container comprises a sleeve having an end opening through which a container can be inserted and an aperture in a side thereof, and a container having outer dimensions substantially equivalent to the inner dimensions of the sleeve and slidably insertable therein. The container has at least one tab proximate a side of the container, the tab operative to automatically extend through the aperture in the sleeve when the container is inserted therein, thereby preventing the removal of the container from the sleeve unless the at least one tab is depressed while pulling the container from the sleeve.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve comprises a first sleeve side and an opposing second sleeve side, the first sleeve side having a first aperture therethrough and the second sleeve side having a second aperture therethrough. Correspondingly, the container comprises a first container side and an opposing second container side, the first container side having a first tab formed thereon and the second container side having a second tab formed thereon. The first and second tabs are operative to automatically extend by spring action through the first and second apertures when the container is inserted into the sleeve, preventing the removal of the container from the sleeve unless both tabs are simultaneously depressed while pulling the container from the sleeve. Preferably, a dimension between the tabs is sufficient to preclude simultaneous depression of the tabs by the hand of a small child.

Although the principles of the invention can be utilized with other shapes, a simple embodiment can be made with a sleeve and container each having a box shape, wherein a first sleeve side and an opposing second sleeve side comprise parallel planar surfaces, and a first container side and an opposing second container side comprise parallel planar surfaces. In such embodiments, the container can be formed from a flat foldable material comprising: 1) a bottom portion intermediate to the first container side and the opposing second container side, wherein the first and second container sides are foldable to a position orthoganal to the bottom portion; 2) an end container side coupled to an end of the bottom portion and foldable to a position orthoganal to the bottom portion and simultaneously orthogonal to each of the first and second container sides to form one end of the container; and, 3) first and second triangular portions joining the ends of the first and second container sides to the end container side, each of the triangular portions comprising a fold line at a forty-five degree angle from the corner points where the bottom portion joins the first and second container sides and the end container side whereby, when the end container side and the first and second container sides are folded to form one end of the container, the first and second triangular portions extend outwardly to form the first and second tabs. Preferably, a hole through the flat foldable material is provided at each of the corner points, which allows the folded triangular portions to lay flatter to the sides of the container when inserted into said sleeve and to more easily spring outwards through the apertures.

In an exemplary embodiment, a position of the aperture(s) along the sleeve is/are proximate a closed end of the sleeve and a position of the tab(s) along the side of the container is/are proximate an end of the container, the tab(s) being proximate to the closed end of the sleeve when the container is fully inserted into the sleeve, wherein the tab(s) automatically extends through the aperture(s) as the container is withdrawn from the sleeve, thereby preventing the removal of the container from the sleeve unless the tab(s) is/are depressed while pulling the container from the sleeve.

The storage container can further include a tray insertable into an open side of the container, the tray having an area for storing a product therein; preferably, the area for storing the product is not accessible when the first and second tabs are extended through the first and second apertures of the sleeve but it becomes progressively accessible when both tabs are simultaneously depressed and the container is progressively pulled from the sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sleeve constructed from a rigid, foldable material;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a container constructed from a rigid, foldable material;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a tray constructed from a rigid, foldable material;

FIG. 4 illustrates the sleeve, container and tray of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in their folded, constructed forms and the relative arrangement for assembly;

FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate the operative aspects of the container and sleeve as the container is progressively inserted into the sleeve; and,

FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate the operative aspects of the storage container as the container is progressively opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A child-resistant storage container in accordance with the principles of the invention comprises a sleeve having an end opening through which a container can be inserted. Referring first to FIG. 1, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of a sleeve constructed from a rigid, foldable material. The sleeve 100 is illustrated in flat form, with cut and fold lines, which can be folded into a box shape (see FIG. 4); hereinafter, the references to the sleeve surfaces are relative to the sleeve in its folded, box shape. The sleeve 100 has a bottom surface 101, a top surface 102, a first sleeve side 103 and an opposing second sleeve side 104. The first sleeve side 103 has a first aperture 105 and the second sleeve side 104 has a second aperture 106. A fastening flap 107 is adjacent to second sleeve side 104 and may have an adhesive strip affixed thereto for securing to the inner surface of bottom surface 101 when folded into the box shape; alternatively, other fastening means can be utilized to maintain the sleeve in the folded configuration. The sleeve further comprises end flaps 108, 109, 110 and 111; flaps 108 and 109 are folded inwardly and then overlapped by end flap 110 and 111 to form a closed end of sleeve 100. The underside of flap 111 may have an adhesive strip (not shown) to secure it to flap 110, or other fastening means known in the art can be utilized. When folded, the sleeve has an open end opposite the closed end formed by end flaps 108, 109, 110 and 111. The first and second sleeve sides 103, 104, can include open end recesses 112 and 113, respectively, which allow a container slidably inserted into the sleeve to be easily grasped for removal, as will be described hereinafter.

A child-resistant storage container in accordance with the principles of the invention further comprises a container for insertion into a sleeve, such as exemplary sleeve 100. The container should have outer dimensions substantially equivalent to the inner dimensions of the sleeve 100 and be slidably insertable therein. Referring to FIG. 2, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of a container 200 constructed from a rigid, foldable material. The container 200 is illustrated in flat form, with cut and fold lines, which can be folded into a box shape (see FIG. 4); hereinafter, the references to the container surfaces are relative to the container in its folded, box shape. The container has a bottom surface 201 and a first container side 203 and an opposing second container side 204. The first container side 203 comprises external side portion 203-A, internal side portion 203-B, and a bottom portion 203-C. When folded, the bottom portion 203-C is secured to bottom surface 201 using an adhesive strip (not shown) affixed thereto; alternatively, other fastening means can be utilized to maintain the container side in the folded configuration. Similarly, the second container side 204 comprises external side portion 204-A, internal side portion 204-B, and a bottom portion 204-C; when folded, the bottom portion 204-C is secured to bottom surface 201.

A first end of the container 200 comprises end flaps 208, 209, and 210; end flap 210 comprises external flap portion 210-A, internal flap portion 210-B, and a bottom portion 210-C. The end flaps 208 and 209 are folded inwardly to be orthogonal to the bottom portion 201 and simultaneously orthogonal to each of the first and second container sides 203, 204. The end flap 210 is then folded over end flaps 208, 209; bottom portion 210-C is secured to bottom surface 201 using an adhesive strip (not shown) affixed thereto or other suitable means.

A second end of the container 200 comprises an end container side 211 coupled to an end of the bottom portion 201; the end container side 211 is foldable to a position substantially orthogonal to the bottom portion 201 and simultaneously orthogonal to each of the first and second container sides 203, 204. First and second triangular portions 212, 213 join the ends of the first and second container sides 203 and 204, respectively, to the end container side 211. Each of the triangular portions 212, 213 comprise a fold line at a forty-five degree angle from the corner points where the bottom surface 201 joins the first and second container sides 203, 204 and the end container side 211 whereby, when the end container side 211 and the first and second container sides 203, 204 are folded, the first and second triangular portions 212, 213 extend outwardly to form first and second tabs (also referred to as 212, 213 in FIG. 5A, et seq.). Preferably, a hole through the flat foldable material is provided at each of the corner points, which allows the folded triangular portions 212, 213 to lay closer to the sides of the container 200 when inserted into the sleeve 100, and to more easily spring outwards through the apertures 105, 106 (see FIGS. 5-D and 6-B).

The exemplary container 200, when folded, has an open top; the open top allows for the insertion of a tray for holding a product. Referring to FIG. 3, illustrated is an exemplary embodiment of a tray 300 constructed from a rigid, foldable material. The tray 300 is illustrated in flat form, with cut and fold lines, which can be folded into a box shape with a recess for holding a product, such as a vape pen (see FIG. 4). Whereas the principles of the invention are not limited to a particular product, the specifics of tray 300 are not further described herein. Preferably, the area for storing the product in the tray is not accessible when the first and second tabs of container 200 are extended through the first and second apertures of the sleeve 100, but the product becomes accessible when both tabs are simultaneously depressed and the container is progressively pulled from the sleeve. Those skilled in the art will appreciate how to fold the exemplary tray 300 and to design other suitable trays for insertion into the container 200. It is noted that the tray 300 can provide additional structural rigidity to the container 200, thereby allowing for the use of lighter gauge foldable materials for one or both the container 200 and tray 300.

Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated are the exemplary sleeve 100, exemplary container 200, and exemplary tray 300, in their folded forms, and the relative arrangement for assembling into a child-resistant storage container. Once the tray 300 is inserted into the container 200, the container can be slidably inserted into the sleeve 100; FIGS. 5A-5E illustrate the progressive insertion of container 200 into sleeve 100. In FIG. 5A, it can be seen that tabs 212 and 213 initially extend outwardly from the sides of container 200. In FIG. 5B, the tabs 212 and 213 are illustrated as folded against the sides of container 200 for insertion into sleeve 100. FIG. 5C illustrates the container 200 partially inserted into sleeve 100, wherein the tabs 212 and 213 (hidden) are held against the sides of the container 200 by the interior surface of the side walls of sleeve 100. As the end of container 200 having tabs 212 and 213 (hidden) nears the apertures 105 and 106 (hidden) in sleeve 100, the tabs are operative to automatically extend therethrough; as shown in FIG. 5E, the tabs again fold against the side of container 200 as the container is fully inserted into the sleeve and the tabs are substantially past the apertures.

Turning now to FIGS. 6A-6D, illustrated are the operative aspects of the storage container as it is progressively opened. In FIG. 6A, it can again be seen that the tabs 212 (hidden) and 213 are folded against the sides of the container 200 when fully inserted into the sleeve 100. As noted supra, the first and second sleeve sides 103 and 104 (hidden), can include open end recesses 112 and 113, respectively, which allow the container 200 to be easily grasped for removal, as can be seen in FIG. 6B. As further seen in FIG. 6B, the tabs 212 (hidden) and 213 automatically extend outwardly through apertures 105 (hidden) and 104, respectively, as the container is withdrawn from sleeve 100. The extension of the tabs through the apertures prevents the removal of the container from the sleeve unless they are depressed while continuing to pull the container from the sleeve; as illustrated in FIG. 6C, that can be accomplished by placing a finger and thumb of a second hand over the apertures to prevent the tabs from extending therethrough as the container 200 is pulled from the sleeve 100. By doing so, as illustrated in FIG. 6D, the container 200 can be pulled further from the sleeve to expose the product contained in the tray 300. In some embodiments, a dimension between the sides of the storage container is sufficient to preclude simultaneous depression of the tabs by the hand of a small child.

The foregoing has described an exemplary embodiment of a child-resistant storage container in accordance with the principles of the invention. It should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and the scope of the claims is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein. 

We claim:
 1. A child-resistant storage container, comprising: a sleeve having an end opening through which a container can be inserted and an aperture in a side thereof; and, a container having outer dimensions substantially equivalent to the inner dimensions of said sleeve and slidably insertable into said sleeve, said container comprising a tab proximate a side of said container, said tab operative to automatically extend through said aperture when said container is inserted into said sleeve, thereby preventing the removal of said container from said sleeve unless said tab is depressed while pulling said container from said sleeve.
 2. The storage container recited in claim 1, wherein: said sleeve comprises a first sleeve side and an opposing second sleeve side, said first sleeve side having a first aperture therethrough and said second sleeve side having a second aperture therethrough; and, said container comprises a first container side and an opposing second container side, said first container side having a first tab formed thereon and said second container side having a second tab formed thereon, said first tab operative to automatically extend by spring action through said first aperture and said second tab operative to automatically extend by spring action through said second aperture when said container is inserted into said sleeve, said first and second tabs preventing the removal of said container from said sleeve unless both tabs are simultaneously depressed while pulling said container from said sleeve.
 3. The storage container recited in claim 2, wherein said sleeve and said container each have a box shape, and wherein said first sleeve side and said opposing second sleeve side comprise parallel planar surfaces, and said first container side and said opposing second container side comprise parallel planar surfaces.
 4. The storage container recited in claim 3, wherein said container is formed from a flat foldable material comprising: a bottom portion intermediate to said first container side and said opposing second container side, said first and second container sides foldable to a position orthoganal to said bottom portion; an end container side coupled to an end of said bottom portion and foldable to a position orthoganal to said bottom portion and simultaneously orthogonal to each of said first and second container sides to form one end of said container; and, first and second triangular portions joining the ends of said first and second container sides to said end container side, each of said triangular portions comprising a fold line at a forty-five degree angle from the corner points where said bottom portion joins said first and second container sides and said end container side whereby, when said end container side and said first container side and said second container sides are folded to form said one end of said container, said first and second triangular portions extend outwardly to form said first and second tabs.
 6. The storage container recited in claim 4, further comprising a hole through said flat foldable material at each of said corner points.
 7. The storage container recited in claim 3, further comprising a tray insertable into an open side of said container, said tray having an area for storing a product therein, wherein said area for storing said product is not accessible when said first and second tabs are extended through said first and second apertures of said sleeve but which becomes progressively accessible when both tabs are simultaneously depressed and said container is progressively pulled from said sleeve.
 8. The storage container recited in claim 2, wherein a dimension between said tabs is sufficient to preclude simultaneous depression of said tabs by the hand of a small child.
 9. The storage container recited in claim 1, wherein a position of said aperture along said sleeve is proximate a closed end of said sleeve and a position of said tab along said side of said container is proximate an end of said container, said tab being proximate to said closed end of said sleeve when said container is fully inserted into said sleeve, wherein said tab automatically extends through said aperture as said container is withdrawn from said sleeve, thereby preventing the removal of said container from said sleeve unless said tab is depressed while pulling said container from said sleeve.
 10. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein said sleeve is formed from a rigid, foldable paper material.
 11. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein said sleeve is formed from a rigid, molded plastic material.
 12. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein said container is formed from a rigid, foldable paper material. 